Every year the 2024 Chicago Marathon is a celebration of joy, community, and the power of play, drawing thousands of people out for the fun. Yet, in the very neighborhoods that host this iconic event, many Chicago youth and families still lack access to sports and play opportunities. This year, our Charity team is lacing…
The Chicago Fire Foundation recently donated 450 tickets to the Wednesday June 22nd Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake game at 7:30pm at TOYOTA PARK to allow us to share the Chicago Fire experience with participants in our health and education soccer program.
A big congratulations to Christian Gordon and Willie Mae Brooks, two Urban Initiatives soccer players at Sherman School of Excellence, who took 1st and 2nd place respectively at their school-wide poetry contest! The following is an excerpt from Christian’s poem, which speaks about economic struggle: Unemployment is like playing soccer and you just want to…
Urban Initiatives was fortunate to have been asked to run a soccer-based health activity for kids at Mayor Emanuel’s community celebration on May 14th in Grant Park. It was a great opportunity for Urban Initiatives to connect with members of the community and supporters of our new Mayor. The highlight of the day was when…
On Monday, May 9th, Urban Initiatives’ Founders Jim Dower and Dan Isherwood were invited to Mayor Daley’s farewell open house. They attended the event and appreciated the opportunity to give thanks and bid goodbye to a man who has been a supporter of education and soccer-based youth development initiatives in the City of Chicago. From…
When Urban Initiatives started the Work to Play Program at Tarkington we were confident that our program would be a great fit in the West Lawn neighborhood. No one predicted, however, how popular the program would be and how quickly it would impact the Tarkington community. Currently we are serving 48 committed students at Tarkington…
On a recent field trip with the Attucks soccer team, Urban Initiatives’ staff had an opportunity to chat with parents and hear their feedback on the Work to Play Program. Urban Initiatives thanks the parents for their input as well as for participating in the field trip. Committed parents are critical in raising committed youth!…
Urban Initiatives is pleased to announce that partner school, Walsh Elementary has received federal recognition as Gold from the National Healthy Schools Campaign. Walsh is one of the first Chicago Public Schools to receive this honor. To be selected as a recipient of this award Walsh has committed to the health and nutrition of their…
Urban Initiatives is thrilled to have received a grant from the Cubs Care, a fund of the McCormick Foundation, in support of our Work to Play Program at Jahn Elementary. We are incredibly grateful to have their support of our sports-based youth development program. THANK YOU! Jim Dower had the pleasure of accepting the check…
The Chicago Cubs generously donated 30 tickets for their April 18th encounter with San Diego Padres. Students from Walsh Elementary who had 90% or better attendance for the winter season were awarded these tickets to enjoy the game with their families. Erwin Martinez was excited to be at the game with his father who is…
On a recent trip to the doctor’s office, Maria, a fifth grade soccer player at Prieto Elementary, received some surprising news. Though many would prefer to avoid surprises in this particular setting, for Maria, it was nothing but positive. She recalled that her doctor was, "surprised because I used to weigh a lot when I…
Last week Urban Initiatives’ very own Jim Dower spent a day on the Hill in Washington D.C. educating members of congress about the impact of our Work to Play Program. Urban Initiatives met with several Congressman, Senators, and their respective staff, who represent the communities that host the Work to Play Program in their districts.…